7 - Urban Magic with Michael Anderson
Michael Anderson is a principal architect of Anderson-Barker, a purpose-driven design firm focused on transforming challenged communities. Michael’s purpose is simply this – to confront the systemic, longstanding obstacles to economic growth and development of Black and Brown neighborhoods in Los Angeles, and anywhere else in America. In his experience, many municipalities are motivated to bring about sustainable change in their communities. However, they often lack the vision, resources, and capacity to balance this desire with competing priorities.
Michael and his team believe that smart and sensitive planning, matched with capital sources, can solve the key challenges of rapid urban growth in large metropolises. Anderson-Barker brings the expertise to make this happen.
With more than 40 years of experience in architecture, urban planning, transit, and community development, Michael has been the principal designer for projects in aviation, transit, civic administration, education, housing and municipalities. Some of his projects include:
Los Angeles Clippers Arena Plaza Buildings and Parking Garages, Inglewood, CA
Hollywood Park, Inglewood, CA
Tom Bradley Terminal West at the Los Angeles International Airport
Martin Luther King Jr. Transit Center, Compton, CA
Compton Senior Center, Compton, CA
Brenda sits down virtually with Michael to discuss the pilot project he has been working on. Its aim is to increase homeownership and equity through the development of triplexes, fourplexes, and transit-oriented community (TOC) solutions. By collaborating with public funding, private capital sources, and real estate development companies, this project can provide some lasting change and revitalize key communities in the Los Angeles area. It also has the opportunity to be replicated in other cities. Listen to the podcast episode below:
They also discuss Michael’s recent book, Urban Magic: Vibrant Black and Brown Communities Are Possible. This book brings together many of the nation's Black and Brown thought leaders, economic and finance-oriented public policy-makers, business leaders, both progressive and conservative political allies, architects, planners, and students in discussions to create what is veritably an operating manual for effecting extensive change within communities of color.
As we end every episode with our guest’s favorite song and/or quote, Michael Anderson shares with us a couple:
“Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. This is the inter-related structure of reality.”